Dicymolomia metalliferalis - Hodges#4892
Dicymolomia metalliferalis
This record describes Dicymolomia metalliferalis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: fine black wavy lines on hindwing are diagnostic
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Glaphyriinae
- Genus
- Dicymolomia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
southern Vancouver Island to San Diego, California
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from May to October in California
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae have been collected from damaged and decaying seedpods of two lupine species: Silver Lupine ( Lupinus albifrons ) and Broadleaf Lupine ( L. latifolius ); larvae are presumed to feed on detritus within the decomposed seedpods (see Wagner document in References sections below)
Life History
overwinters as a larva in seedpod of hostplant
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dicymolomia metalliferalis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Dicymolomia metalliferalis - Hodges#4892 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Chuck Sexton
Frequently Asked Questions About Dicymolomia metalliferalis - Hodges#4892
What is Dicymolomia metalliferalis - Hodges#4892?
Dicymolomia metalliferalis - Hodges#4892 (Dicymolomia metalliferalis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Dicymolomia metalliferalis - Hodges#4892?
Adult: fine black wavy lines on hindwing are diagnostic
Where is Dicymolomia metalliferalis - Hodges#4892 found?
Range: southern Vancouver Island to San Diego, California
What does Dicymolomia metalliferalis - Hodges#4892 eat?
The diet of the Dicymolomia metalliferalis - Hodges#4892 includes larvae have been collected from damaged and decaying seedpods of two lupine species: Silver Lupine ( Lupinus albifrons ) and Broadleaf Lupine ( L. latifolius ); larvae are presumed to feed on detritus within the decomposed seedpods (see Wagner document in References sections below).
When is Dicymolomia metalliferalis - Hodges#4892 active?
Dicymolomia metalliferalis - Hodges#4892: seasonal activity - adults fly from May to October in California.
What is the life cycle of a Dicymolomia metalliferalis - Hodges#4892?
overwinters as a larva in seedpod of hostplant